Small curled tips across a broad field

Small coiled capillary apices with occasional wider loops. A larger angulated capillary is visible at the far right.

Small coiled capillary apices with occasional wider loops. A larger angulated capillary is visible at the far right.
Small coiled capillary apices with occasional wider loops. A larger angulated capillary is visible at the far right.

Image details

Pattern
Tortuous capillaries
Author or contributor
Borja Gracia Tello
Hallmarks
Tortuous capillariesUnequal capillary calibers
Magnification
250×
Device
Smart G-Scope
Field of view (W × H)
≈ 2.39 × 1.34 mm
Open full-size image

Teaching point

Density is the number of visible capillaries per linear millimeter in the distal row.

Measurements and calibration

For the subset of apices with stable automated measurements, estimated widths span approximately 9–29 µm. These are automated estimates, not manually validated measurements.

Clinical caveat

This image illustrates a visual finding and should be interpreted with acquisition quality, distribution across fingers, clinical context, and serology when relevant.

Use and licensing

Educational material. For reuse outside Capillaroscopy.com, request permission and preserve the stated attribution.

Related images

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A field from the normal reference study, showing the distal row of narrow loops. Use the full study to compare density and shape across fingers.Normal reference: distal capillary rowDark hemorrhagic deposits alongside capillary loops in the nonspecific reference study. Hemorrhage alone does not define a scleroderma pattern.Nonspecific pattern: hemorrhagic fieldHairpin capillaries with rounded apices of different widths. The deeper vascular network is visible.A capillary row above the deeper vascular networkSlender capillaries with rounded apices and mildly tortuous limbs, especially right of center.Straight apices above winding limbs